Islam uses a number of "conventionally complimentary phrases" or durood, sometimes called Islamic honorifics, ‘blessings’, ‘titles’ or even ‘prayers’.[1] The "honorifics" either praise (e.g. "Subhanahu wa-ta’ala", in the case of Allah), or wish good things (such as "prayers and peace", "Allāh be pleased with them") for Muhammad, another prophet or other objects of the honorific. In Arabic writing (and speaking) they follow the name of the object of the honorific fully spelled out (fully enunciated), while in English language sources they are sometimes abbreviated, ("Allah (swt)" or "Muhammad (pbuh)"), sometimes spelled out ("Abdurrahman ibn Abi Bakr, Radi-Allahu anhu"),[2] sometimes appear spelled out in Arabic,[3] and sometimes appear as a typographic ligature of Arabic calligraphy.[4][5]

Unlike conventional honorifics they follow, rather than precede, the name of the individual being noted. (They are distinct from honorifics such as "Hadrat-i Muhammad", the Persian title given Muhammad, which precedes his name,[1] or titles for distinguished Muslims such as Mawlānā or Sheikh.) (The term durood may be limited to the prophets in Islam, or go beyond "conventionally complimentary phrases" into short prayers,[6][7] honorifics for scholars or companions follow the same pattern as durood but are not prayers.)

Some Muslims preach against the use of abbreviations in honorifics, insisting on the entire phrase spelled out, quoting a hadith in support of this.[8][9]

The honorifics for Muhammad are based on a Quranic verse according to one source:

"Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace."
- Qur'an 33:56[5]

A hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah states: The Messenger of Allah said: